The earliest telephones had no rotary dial. These phones operated on the magneto system, where the subscriber would turn a handle, generating an electric current that triggered a flap on the switchboard at the central exchange. The operator would then know that someone wanted to make a call and could connect them to another subscriber, possibly through other exchanges. Between 1927 and 1930, the rotary dial was introduced, allowing the caller to directly dial the recipient's central exchange, where an operator would establish the final connection.
The first public telephone exchange in Copenhagen was established in 1881 with 22 subscribers. Between 1878 and 1894, no fewer than 57 telephone companies were founded across the country, and by the year 1900, 25,000 Danes already had a telephone. Growth continued into the first half of the 20th century, albeit at a moderate pace, as telephone subscriptions were relatively expensive. By 1950, 60,000 Danes had telephones, with many thousands still on the waiting list to get one.
The telephone exhibition at Nyvang features a wide selection of telephone models from the 20th century.
The earliest telephones had no rotary dial. These phones operated on the magneto system, where the subscriber would turn a handle, generating an electric current that triggered a flap on the switchboard at the central exchange. The operator would then know that someone wanted to make a call and could connect them to another subscriber, possibly through other exchanges. Between 1927 and 1930, the rotary dial was introduced, allowing the caller to directly dial the recipient's central exchange, where an operator would establish the final connection.
The first public telephone exchange in Copenhagen was established in 1881 with 22 subscribers. Between 1878 and 1894, no fewer than 57 telephone companies were founded across the country, and by the year 1900, 25,000 Danes already had a telephone. Growth continued into the first half of the 20th century, albeit at a moderate pace, as telephone subscriptions were relatively expensive. By 1950, 60,000 Danes had telephones, with many thousands still on the waiting list to get one.
The telephone exhibition at Nyvang features a wide selection of telephone models from the 20th century.
Sign up for our newsletter so you're always up to date and know what's going on at Oplevelsescenter Nyvang.